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^iJ^l'ORGETFULNESS OF GOD 



A REASON FOR 



NATIONAL HUMILIATION. 



/ % /' / 



FORGETFULXESS OF GOD 



A SERMON, 

PREACHED IN 

TRINITY CHURCH UTICA, 

OS 

Iriijav, mav 14, 1841. 

BEINO THE DAT RECOMMENDED BT THE PRESIDENT OF THE CMTED BTATEg, 

AS A DAY OF 

NATIONAL HlTvIILIATION AXD PRAYER. 

[published BT r.EQTrfMf'.j 



Bv JOHN rf'RUDD, D. D. 

JP.OFEESOR or MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND 6 ACRED BISTORT IJ» 
HOBART HALL INSTITUTE, 



UTICA : 
HOBART FRSlSl 



e: 



^ 




[official.] 
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, 

A RECOMMENDATION. 



When a Christian People feel themselves overtaken by a great public ca- 
(lamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of 
Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children 
of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own un- 
worthiness, and to supplicate his merciful protection for the future. 

The death of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, late President of tha 
United States, so soon after his elevation to that high office, is a bereavement 
peculiarly calculated to be regarded as a heavy affliction ; and to impress all 
minds with a sense of the uncertainty of human things, and of the depend- 
ence of Nations, as well as of individuals, upon our Heavenly Parent. 

I have thought, therefore, that I should be acting in conformity with the 
general expectation and feelings of the community in recommending, as I do 
now, to the People of the United States, of every religious denomination, 
that according to their several modes and forms of worship, they observe a 
day of fasting and prayer, by such religious services as may be suitable on 
the occasion ; and I recommend Friday, the fourteenth day of May next, 
for that purpose ; to the end, that, on that day, we may all, with one accord, 
join in humble and reverential prayer to Him in whose hands we are, invok- 
ing him to inspire us with a proper spirit and temper of heart and mind under 
these frowns of His Providence, and still to bestow His gracious benediction 
lUpon our government and our country. JOHN TYLER, 

Washington, April 1 3, 1841 . 



Dread Johovah I God of nations ; 

From thy temple in tlie skies, 
Hear thy people's supplications. 

Now for thoir dejiv'rance rise : 

Lo ! with deep contrition turning. 
Humbly at thy feet we bend ; 

Hear us, fasting, praying, mourning, 
Hear us, spare us, and defend. 

Though our sins, our hearts confounding, 
Long and loud for vengeance call, 

Thoa hast mercy more abounding, 
Jesus' blood can cleanse them all. 

Let that love veil our transgression, 
Let that blood our guilt efface ; 

Save thy people from oppression. 
Save from spoil thy holy place. 



SE RMON. 

"The Lord ia with you, while ye be wiih him ; and if ye peek him, he will ha 
found of you ; but if ye t'orsake him, he will forsake you." — 2 Chronicles, xv. 2. 

National calamities should awaken national apprehension and re- 
pentance ; but while as a nation we are this day to bow ourselves low 
before the throno of our God, it is not simply because our own land 
has been stricken, that we should humble ourselves. The whole ci- 
vilized world is convulsed and anxious. The whole ocean of hu- 
man life heaves and swells, and wave upon wave threatens overwhelm- 
ing ruin to the proudest monuments of human art and power. It ia 
a world in perplexity and fear ; it ought, therefore, as well for others 
as for ourselves, to be a world in sackcloth and ashes and in tears. 
For we may rest assured, that if the world is in perturbation and af- 
iright, it is because the world is guilty in the sight of God. If our na- 
tion is in perplexity and sorrow, it is because as a nation we are cor- 
rupt ; it is because we have forsaken the God of our fathers, and, 
as saith Jehovah by his servant Moses, to his ancient people, " As 
the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye 
perish ; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord 
your God." (Deut. viii. 20.) 

Such, Brethren, is the solemn lesson for the study and meditation 
of this day of national humiliation. Let us give our minds to it in 
all honesty of purpose, in all godly simplicity. It is not simply to 
mourn over the event that has taken away our Chief Magistrate in a 
lime and under circumstances which characterize the visitation as 
a providence most singularly marked, that we are to humble ourlieartsi 
and fall down before the Lord. No, my hearers, it is not for this 
alone, mournful as the occurrence is, that we are now to bow be- 
fore the rod and feel the hand that holds it. We are to ask, at 
the bar of conscience tuid before the altar where sits the Judga 



6 

invisible, if as a people, as individuals, we have not most justly de, 
served this chastisement. And to this inquiry we are to add, while 
engaged in the appropriate devotions of the day, the consideration that 
unless we turn from our public sins and secret individual faults and 
transgressions, severer punishments must be expected from the hand 
of him, who in the days of old brought down a " desperate sorrow " 
upon " the multitudes of men who made their noise like the rushing 
of mighty waters." (Isa. xvii. 11,12.) They were "rebuked of God 
for their iniquity, chased away like the chaff of the mountains," 
driven •' like a rolling thing before the whirlwind " of Almighty 
destruction. (Isa. xvii. 13.) 

We may, through the grace of God, find much to help us in the 
discharge of our present duties, if we will give our minds to the his- 
tory of the ancient people of God, and mark how they were chas. 
tised for their disregard of the laws that he gave them. 

The history which contains the text, and indeed the whole course 
of dealing with the Jews and the nations around them, will afford suit- 
able instruction ; and if properly regarded, will lead to considerations 
well suited to the improvement of the day. 

I. We- will, trace the history and seek the instruction. 

II. We will weigh the considerations suggested, and aim at 
their improvement. 

I. In tracing the history and seeking instruction of the pecu- 
liar people, in looking at the wonderful events and revolutions which 
befel them, a prominent point to be taken is the revolt of the ten 
tribes under the guidance of the idolatrous Jeroboam. The plea for 
this revolt was the oppressive character of the exactions and taxes 
of that government which it was evident had been the institution of 
God himself; and so long as a due regard to his authority and pro- 
tection were observed, that government carried them on to happi- 
ness. These tribes broke from what they called slavery, and fan- 
cied they were free from all calamity. But defiance of heaven and 
insult to the laws of God brought not to them, nor will such insults 
bring to any, exemption from misery. The ten tribes found their 
own degradation in their idolatries — their mutual reproaches — the 
blasphemies of their revelry as they danced and sung before the idols 
of the heathen, and ate of the offerings to slocks and stone?. Their 
sufferings in captivity and the long years of their bondage taught 
them that the path of rebellion and iniquity is not the path through 
v/hich God will lead his people to safety, to honour, and glory. 



The other division of the Jewish nation, composed of the two tribes 
of Benjamin and Judah, adhering to the lawful government, though 
they escaped not the indignation of offended Heaven for their depar- 
tures from the worship and service of God, yet were they less profli- 
gate than the house of Israel, and exhibit to iis in the most em- 
phatic manner the advantage of obedience, and the sorrows attendant 
upon a disregard to the laws and requirements of holiness. Asa, 
the third king of the house of Judah, after the revolt of the ten tribes, 
and the monarch to whom the words of the text were addressed, dif- 
fered most essentially, and most happily for his people, from his pre- 
decessors. In him were seen the traits of a wise, a just, and pious 
king. He saw and felt the impieties and errors of his fathers, and 
resolved to testify his zeal for the cause and honour of his God, by 
restoring the solemn usages of the Jewish worship, and by promot- 
ing to the best of his power, the extension of the truth. The 
"abominable idols" were abolished; the altars of the true God 
were restored, and the appointed incense rose from them. The re- 
sult was immediate prosperity, and strength and power were given 
to " the fewest of all people ;" and the tribes of Israel in many 
places, seeing that the God of Hosts was evidently with Asa and 
his armies, came over to his standard ; and idolatrous nations stood 
amazed, at the evidence afforded that it was not good to put any 
confidence in men or princes, for when the Almighty sustains the 
arms of his faithful servants, the power of human hosts will form a 
vain dependence. The followers of Jeroboam might call upon the 
calves of Dan and Bethel, and shout, " These be thy Gods, O Israel," 
and the profane might declare that it was of no consequence whether 
people believed in one, or in twenty Gods, but Asa and his people 
held a different language — " The Lord is our God, and his voice 
will we obey." And what was the consequence ? The same pre- 
cisely as the text declares, " The Lord is with you, while ye be 
with him." "The land," we are told, "had rest." The philoso- 
phic witlings and the proud contemners of the divine majesty gained ' 
no ascendency. The word of God was studied; the records of his 
early favour to his chosen were called to mind ; and for ten" blessed 
years the house of Jacob, walking after their pious leadef'in the 
knowledge and love of God, were happy. The places where stocks 
and stones, fashioned into unseemly shapes, had been hailed with di- 
vine honours, were laid waste, and anthems of a holy worship rose 
instead of the shout of frenzied incantations. Peace and prosperity 



8 

followed in the train of this devotion; and when the envy and ma- 
levolence of Ethiopia rose up to threaten the tranquillity of Judah,' 
the faithful prince with a very unequal force, but relying upon Jeho- 
vah and praying for his help, saw the mighty multitude discomfited, 
spoiled, and destroyed. This victory was in answer to the prayer 
of Asa and his people, " Help us, O Lord our God ; for we rest on 
thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou 
art our God ; Jet not man prevail against thee." (2 Chron. xiv.ll.) 
And it was upon his return from this successful battle, that the king 
heard the language of the text from the prophet's mouth — '• Hear 
ye me, Asa, all Benjamin and Judah : the Lord is with you while ye 
be with him ; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you ; but if ye 
forsake him, he will forsake you." Thus encouraged, the monarch 
of Judah went onward in his work of love and zeal, and his people 
were the admiration of the surrounding nations, for their peace,'' 
prosperity, and happiness. So true it is, that, when individuals or na- 
tions please the Lord, he maketh even enemies to be at peace with 
them. 

But with all this honour and comfort flowing from holy and entirfe 
confidence in God, Asa was mortal, and in an evil hour, at the end" 
of six and thirty years of a most happy reign, " he acted foolishly," 
as it is said, and led his people away from their wonted confidence, 
their entire dependence upon the goodness and power of theif Al- 
mighty Friend and Protector. When he saw the threatening host 
of invasion, he turned not to the Loid, but to a heathen king, for 
help — the infidel Benhadad, the ruler of Syria. How like him are 
they who trust to an arm of flesh, rather than to him who ruleth in 
heaven and on earth. The king is rebuked by another prophet, who 
repeats the truth declared in the language of Azariah — " thou hast 
done foolishly" — thou hast ceased " to seek the Lord" — thou hast 
forsaken him — now therefore " he will forsake thee." The glory of 
Asa's dominion faded here. 

In this whole history we are plainly taught that God will not suf- 
fer wicked rulers and profligate people to presume upon his protec- 
lion if they obey not his laws, neither will he forsake those who 
place their dependence on his help, and testify in obedience to his 
laws, their attachment to his service. Nor is it in this history alone 
that we read this important lesson. It is as plainly seen in the con- 
dition of other people as of the Jews, and no less is the fact full of ad- 
monition to individuals, as well ng to corrupt republics, licentious 



9 

kingdoms, and iniquitous empires. When rulers show tlieir disre- 
gard for truth and virtue, and when the people love to have it so, we 
hear the denunciations of divine displeasure, as in the day when of 
Jerusalem it was said, " Her princes within her are roaring lions, and 
her judges evening wolves." Saul acts wickedly, and calamity flows 
to his people. The followers of Rehoboam are involved in misery, 
and Jeroboam, when he would make unholy leagues with the idola- 
trous, oflbring divine honours to those " that were no Gods," saw 
his own confusion in the sorrows of his people. The antcdiluviaa 
nations corrupted their ways, and the flood overthrew them. Egypt 
would disregard the Lord Jehovah, though taught by miracles and 
warned by wisdom from on high, and the first-born were smitten, the 
sea saw their presumption and rolled back its wavea upon them. la 
pestilence, in famine, and in fire, God taught the peculiar people 
that he would be obeyed of men. Did they disobey his laws, and 
resist his appointed guides and rulers, forgetting the maxims of holi- 
ness and the requirements of purity, they heard the thunder of his 
povt'er, and the lightnings of his wrath overtook them. Was it not 
wonderful, and do we not read with astonishment the fact that though 
the rock gave water and the heavens showered in food for them, yet 
the people murmured against the Rlost High, suffered their " hands to 
be defiled with blood," and " their fingers -with iniquity," while their 
" lips spoke lies, and their tongues muttered perverseness." But 
strange as all this is, how does it differ from our own conduct, in 
our disregard of the mercies of heaven, and our forgetful ness of his 
protection. Nineveh and Jerusalem, pagan as well as Jewish people^ 
leach us that when we fail to serve God according to the light we en- 
joy, he will visit our sins with a rod and our iniquity with scourges. 
See how the holy city, grown corrupt and unmindful of her Heaven- 
ly King, quails before Roman legions, till the very site thereof is 
" ploughed like a field,^' and "not one stone is left upon another." 
Hear Josephus, who would not be inclined to exaggerate. "That 
time," saith he, " became fruitful of all manner of wickedness among 
the Jews, insomuch that they left no work of mischief unpractised, 
nor, if a person wished to frame a crime in his imagination, cou-^d 
lie invent a new one. So diseased were they all, both in public ^i^d 
private, and so ambitiously did they strive to exceed each other^ in acta 
of impiety towards God, and injustice towards their neigh1x)nrs ; the 
powerful on the one hand ill treating the populace — Jhe multitude 
eager to destroy the powerful. The one wished to tyrannize, the 



10 

other to commit violence and plunder the property of the Wealthy.'* 
Well might such a state of things prepare the way of ruin, and if 
we duly keep this day, we shall consider our own ways, lest desola' 
tions no less fearful and unsparing overtake our land. For, to follow 
the same Jewish historian, in his development of the devastations that 
shook down the walls of Jerusalem, — " There was no pity shown to 
age, nor respect to dignity. The young and old, the profane vul- 
gar and the sacred priesthood were put to death alike. You would 
have thought that the temple mount was burnt up from the very roots, 
it was so loaded with fire throughout. And yet the blood was still 
more abundant than the fire, and the slaughtered than the slayers, for 
the ground was nowhere clear of the dead ; 'and the soldiers 
mounting on heaps of carcases rushed on the fugitives flying in every 
direction." How solemn is the admonition, how full the proof 
here given, that, " if ye forsake the Lord he will forsake you."' 

But, my Brethren, let us beware of the delusion, that, while the 
Jews had great and extraordinary favours shown them, and were 
therefore greatly guilty in abusing them, other people not having their 
advantages, will escape the displeasure of the Almighty. Look 
liow the proud Sennacherib and his mighty Assyrian hosts — though 
for a time used as the scourges of others — waste and perish before 
the heavon-directed pestilence ; and mark how the guilty monarch 
dies, by the hands of his treacherous sons, before the altar of his idol 
Nisroch. What became of mighty Babylon, chief of proud and 
powerful cities? God suffered her to grow in pomp and magnifi- 
cence, but where now do you find that "mother of abominations"? 
You seek for her ruins, and are told that so complete has been the 
havoc made of her walls, her gorgeous palaces and towers, that she is 
now a dreary desert filled with noisome vermin and ravenous beasts ! 
And what is told of Sodom and Gomorrah, but that they grew unto 
more and more ungodliness, till the insulted majesty of Jehovah sunk 
and blotted out their place forever. Go once more to those once 
splendid cities of the lesser Asia, where the seven Angels, or Bishops 
<^)f God, ruled Christian Churches, embracing millions of professed 
believers in the name of Jesus. They forsook their Lord and 
Masi>5r, forgetful of the blessings showered upon them, and in their 
turn are forsaken of their God. See Pergamus, Thy atira, and Sardis, 
Philadelphia, Hierapolis, and Collosse, where temples reared their 
costly spires in honour of our Divine Redeemer, and where lofty 
arches " rang in jtruise uf his beloved name." There, where myriads 



11 

of Christians once heard, and joyed to hear, tlie blessed "Gospel's 
silver sound," you trace the withering and blight of an Almighty 
hand upon people who forgot and forsook their Lord. But last of all* 
learn from the inhabitants of that stupid city, " neither hot nor cold," 
the indifferent Laodicea. It was for her entire indifference, her un- 
mindfulness of God, that she lost the very name of Christian, and 
where the cause of the Redeemer once had powerful advocates in 
sumptuous churches and devout disciples to fill them, Christianity is 
obliterated, and the very spot abandoned by human beings, to the 
possession " of wolves, and foxes, jackals, snakes, and vipers." 

Brethren, will you ask for more of evidence that when cities, na- 
tions, or individuals neglect to serve their God, and forsake his laws, 
they must expect to be forsaken by him ? and to be thus forsaken ia 
to be handed over to downfal, disgrace, and ruin. 

II. We are solemnly called to weigh these considerations and to 
seek through the grace of God for their improvement. If it be true, 
— and the history over which we have gone abundantly proves it so — 
that God forsakes those who refuse his laws and neglect his ordinances, 
and if it be true that every individual, in his life and conduct contributes 
a portion to the aggregate of national advancement or degradation, then 
is the present a moment which addresses every one with a solemn 
interest. Are our national sins many or few? Have our national 
blessings been many, and are they improved as they should be? Tba 
private citizen, from the highest to the lowest has a stake in this qties- 
tion, and it will not answer the purpose of the day of judgment, w say 
that any one has not an influence upon the national character -^nd pros- 
perity. The cable that holds the nation to its anchor, and enables it to 
outride the storm is composed of an infinity of fibres. And if " virtue 
exaheth a nation," or "sin be a reproach to any peop'-," then everyone 
that breathes — from the proud one of millions, ttfough all the grades 
of wealth to the lowest operative — has his cent 'bution to make to the 
honour, prosperity, and safety of the Republ-^- In glancing, therefore, 
as now we will do, at the reflections which should occupy our minds and 
hearts, Tve may, if we will, perceive th?-* like other nations, our own has 
greatly failed in duty to the AlmigKy? and regard for his laws. 

1. There has been forgetfuhf^s of God. In the tide of our pros- 
perity as a people, — the astmishing progress that we have made 
— the mighty march of e--jterprise which has marked our onward 
course — the sweep befo'e which forests have bowed — the rapidity with 
which villages have s»rung out of the bosom of the wilderness, and 



12 

villages have- risen to towns and cities of magnificence — the admira- 
tion bestowed upon our advancement in agriculture, science, arts and 
taste; — all have conspired to inflate our pride and cause us practically 
to say, "my might and the power of my hand" have brought these 
mighty things to pass. In our self-complacency we have, to an 
alarming extent, apparently lost sight of the providence of him " be- 
fore whom the nations are but as a drop from the bucket, and who 
takelh up the isles as little things." As in his mercy he had through 
many long years — the whole of our political being — never taken our 
chief Ruler, while seated in his elevation, men seemed to have forgotten 
that one who was thus exalted had his breath in his nostrils. They 
spake of him and of the results of his magistracy, as if there was not a 
finger in heaven that could check his power, or divert the current of 
the myriads of schemes and plans prepared for individual advantage. 
Not only in this, but in various otlier particulars men act as if their 
designs were sure of accomplisliment. They speak of what is to be 
on the morrow with as much confidence as if human power was irre- 
sistible. An expected arrival is spoken of with as much assurance as 
if there was never an ice-berg to crush, or a mountain wave to over- 
whelm the barque. It is not meant here to encourage the expression 
of a gratuitous and canting parade of language, expressive of our 
dependence upon divine providence, but to maintain that there should 
ise kept in the heart the settled sentiment, " if the Lord will, we shall 
live and do either this or that." Forgetfulness of God, is the sin of 
our laqd, and it is tlie sin of our land because it is the sin of our indi- 
vidual Wrts. The rule, then, for all is, "put your trust in the Lord 
ye princes, ind be subdued unto him," in your hearts, "all ye people," 
for, " if ye secK him be will be found of you ; but if ye forsake him, he 
will forsake you. 

2. There is anoth^^r evil in our day: it is an unwarranted confi. 
dence in wealth. We nlk much of the overgrown aristocracies and 
the tremendous power of inches in the old world, and no doubt justly, 
but are we a whit behind tl^tjri in the devotion we pay to the same 
things ? It is not Moloch, gnag»ing his jaws of fire, to whom we offer, 
but to another idol, one mammon, ft^ere is a sacrifice, distracting to the 
mind and blighting to the heart. Hune we not seen it in a selfishness 
that forgets all principle, in a zeal that dc«-es engage in the most fearfui 
speculations — the hazzard of all domestic comfort upon the venture- 
some throw of the gambler ? for what, my hearers, has been the reck- 
ilessness of many speculations but a daring reliahce upon the omnipo. 



13 

tence of wealib, and as daring a contempt for the providence of God 1 
The result has been mournfully demonstrated in the widow's wail, and 
the orphan's tears, because the comfortable competence has been art- 
fully torn away to gratify ungodly avarice, or be wasted in schemes 
ending in ruin and disgrace. The distractions of this very hour — the 
frauds and corruptions detailed through our public journals, and 
spreading a mildew upon our national character, — are showing not 
only how *' riches make to themselves wings and flee" hastily "away," 
but how much cause wo have for national humiliation, repentance and 
amendment. 

3. We shall find another cause for self-abasement as members of the 
Republic, in defective legislation. Who need be told that the framers 
of laws and exactors should be influenced by righteousness, and Sena- 
tors by wisdom ? Do our halls of legislation furnish gratifying proofs 
of being thus influenced ? What scenes of riot — what exhibitions of 
unholy tempers, and what strange artifices have sometimes — well 
would it be, if we could say, rarely — scandalized the sanctuaries from 
which should emanate rules for the administration of justice ! Will 
not God be avenged on such a nation as this ? We boast, and to a 
certain extent we may, of possessing the purest government on earth, 
but if we change not our course, this high distinction and this 
purity will soon be sadly tarnished. Seeds of corruption, sown 
in a free soil like ours, will take a deeper root, and throw out longer 
and more sturdy branches than where a stronger arm exerts its power. 
Public opinion, we are told, will keep us safe. Ah, my brethren, there 
is too much of the idol in this much lauded public opinion. Once it 
said, " Hosannah to the Son of David," and in a few days after, that 
same public opinion is heard exclaiming, " Crucify him, crucify him." 
If the individuals composing the community are not influenced by truth 
and virtue, your public opinion will take any direction which an un- 
righteous populace shall dictate. Except the spirit of our God per. 
vades the hearts of our people, they will give their voices to Diana, 
Moloch, Mammon or Mormon. Our confidence in human power and 
wisdom must not be strong. " Except the Lord keep the city the 
watchman watcheth but in vain." Asa sought human aid, forgetful 
of God and his prophets, and he fell. We relied upon our ruler,and 
public opinion made boast of his wisdom, — the great good he would 
achieve, and God snatched him away. Let us then from this day 
forward be diligently encouraging the religion and virtue of our land, 
and in an esjieeial manner, let our prayers go up continually that 



14 

those who manage our public concerns, may do it in the fear and 
love of God, and have his wisdom to guide them. 
• '4. Another evil to be deplored is an evasion of Imo, and the ten- 
dency of dtir day to a disregard for order. The sentiment is too 
fi'equently heard that no harm is done by evading law, and neglecting 
order in many matters of trifling moment. The thought in its very 
inception is mischievous, and, my hearers, if you allow its entertainment 
it will soon advance to more ungodliness. The magistrate who winks 
at all minor infractions of law, and those who commit them, will soon 
show a community of daring and hardened offenders. If then, we 
would preserve the wholesome order and harmony of the nation we 
must be "obedient to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." 

5. There is also a frequent recklessness of party violence, involving 
disregard for oaths and private character, at the recollection of which 
every pious and amiable mind revolts, and in which is seen sufficient 
reason for deep humiliation. The pulpit must not and will not inter- 
fere with politics, but the pulpit will fail of its design and duty if it doth 
not "reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment to come," 
as well in this as in other things of evil. We are ready to inveigh 
against the governments of the old world, for their corruptions, and 
yet how much is there in our elections which every candid and vir- 
tuous man, when the frenzy of the season is past, mourns over and 
condemns ! How much does the press teem with virulence, and how 
many mouths are filled with bitter personal invectives, foul slanders, 
and fearful imprecations. In this solemn hour of our nation's visita- 
tion and our call to penitence and prayer — I put the question to all 
those before me who know how fields are foueht and won in the davs 
of high excitement, when favorite candidates are up for the high places 
in the people's gift — has there not much been seen on all sides that 
must be regarded as gross violations of the best principles and the 
purest manners ? Shall we not all be humbled under the recollection 
of these things, pray for iheir forgiveness, and for grace to keep us 
from them through future trials and exposures? How else shall we 
avoid the charge of forsaking God ? How else can our land prove it- 
self a nation which the Lord will bless ? 

6. But another reason for our devout humiliation now, and this too 
long discourse shall end — it is to be found in our neglect of Christian 
Education. The subject addresses itself to every citizen, and with pe- 
culiar solemnity to every parent. We are called a Christian nation, 
and yet how large a portion of the whole grow up in almost total igno- 



15 

ranee, not only of Christian doctrine, but of Christian morals. Of 
late indeed there are some growing movements that we hail with gra- 
titude to God. But they are far from being commensurate with our 
advancing population, and the still more rapidly advancing modes of 
allurement and temptation to vice and crime. Enough indeed is done 
to evince the fond partialities and indulgencies bestowed upon the young, 
to deck them for parade and show, but what multitudes of youth and 
children are there whose Christian training is wholly neglected? Ob- 
serve the loose and rude manners ; listen, if you dare, to the vulgar and 
profane expressions daily falling from juvenile lips, and then consider 
what a nation ours must be, when its great majority shall be composed 
of men thus rising into life, untrained by wholesome restraint, — un- 
swayed by law — uninfluenced by the religion of the cross. In vain 
may you look for safety in your free constitution — in vain rely upon the 
virtue of your people, — in vain depend upon your locks and bars, 
if you let the young grow up untutored in the principles of the Gospel 
of Christ. *' Virtue alone exalteth a nation ;" but virtue itself hath 
no base but the law of God revealed. Will you seek your country's 
good ? see that your young are well taught in the principles of Chris- 
tian truth and purity. Are you patriots, in the proper sense of the 
term ? let your dependence, under God, be upon a community of re- 
ligiously instructed people. The sins of a nation are but the aggregate 
of individual transgressions. The honour, the safety, the glory of a 
nation must be looked for in individual order and religion. Is the pros- 
pect a fair one now before us, that our virtue as a people will keep 
pace with our enterprise and our improvement? This question 
should be answered to conscience now, for soon it Jiiust be at the bar 
of God ; or perchance it may be, in the tempest of public convulsions, 
the wailing of domestic woe, the severing of the tenderest bonds, the 
aching of guilty and distracted bosoms. Let such thoughts make this 
a time of true humiliation with us all, and may God in mercy visit and 
protect our land, and sanctify the worship and the teachings of this 
day. 



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